The Sacramento Kings drama mill keeps churning. This time, and many times before it, the subject of the rumors is head coach George Karl. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, Karl will not be holding that title for much longer:
ESPN sources say that the Sacramento Kings are going ahead with a coaching change and plan to fire George Karl in coming days
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 9, 2016
The news does not come as much of a surprise. Karl’s job has been in jeopardy for a while and despite public claims from the Kings’ front office to the contrary, the potential for a mid-season firing was always there. Karl, who received the job last February after a controversial firing of Michael Malone, has a 32-49 record in Sacramento.
Added to that has been voiced displeasure from Karl’s players, culminating in the majority of the team skipping an optional shoot around Tuesday morning, before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers:
Rondo: "With optional shootarounds it’s tough. … When 3 or 4 guys show up for shootaround this morning, how can you expect to win.?"
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) February 9, 2016
Rajon Rondo, Omri Casspi and Seth Curry were the only three players to attend Kings shoot around this morning, according to a team source.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 9, 2016
Sacramento is currently reeling, having lost four in a row and eight of their last ten. Many of those losses have been embarrassing, especially on the defensive end where the Kings have allowed multiple 60 point halves to opponents.
It seems apparent that Karl has lost the team and his firing is now almost inevitable. The question becomes, then, why are the Kings waiting? Someone within that front office must have leaked the rumor that he will be fired so if discussions have happened and they seem intent on doing it, why not just fire him in a respectable manner?
Nevertheless, regardless of the manner in which it happens, it seems clear that Karl will be fired soon. Sacramento will likely look to associate head coach Chad Iske as their interim, though there is a chance that Nancy Lieberman can become the first woman to coach an NBA team in the regular season.
We will provide more updates as they become available.
Update:
The Sacramento Kings have decided to keep George Karl on as head coach:
ESPN sources say that the Sacramento Kings, in a dramatic about-face, have decided to keep George Karl in place as coach .
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 9, 2016
The Kings scrapped plans to fire George Karl after lengthy meeting Tuesday in Philly between Karl and GM Vlade Divac, sources told ESPN
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 9, 2016
In a statement to ESPN, Kings GM Vlade Divac said: "George is our coach and we're collectively working through our issues."
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 9, 2016
The Kings, ladies and gentlemen.
Update:
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the firing of Karl was never a real decison, although it was discussed:
Kings never decided to fire Karl, which is why…they didn't fire him. Ranadive leaned toward dismissal, but Divac talked him out of it.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 9, 2016
Sam Amick reports that GM Vlade Divac met with Karl to discuss necessary changes, namely the lack of effort and defense from the team, with Karl vowing to improve:
Being told it's highly unlikely George Karl will be fired during All-Star break. In meeting with Vlade in Philly, he agreed to renew efforts
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 9, 2016
Points of emphasis in several recent Vlade-Karl discussions:3-pt D, transition D, lackluster effort. Vlade would prefer Karl survives season
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 9, 2016
And the Kings roll on.
